High school basketball showdown this weekend
Belize’s bronze medallists may have returned from El Salvador, but that doesn’t mean the excitement is over on the basketball court. In fact, as I found out this afternoon, it’s just beginning.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
Tension mounted today as teams from high schools across Belize counted down to the climax of their season…the National Championship Finals.
While some squads kicked it on the sidelines…outside, other players were warming up with the local ballers. Their jerseys might look different, but they are all here to win. For the females, the women from Wesley are the team to beat but the others are bringing their own heat.
Indira Mejia, Captain, Orange Walk Technical High
“We are very proud, we did a lot of work to come here and of course we are here for the championship, nothing less but the championship.”
Janelle Chanona
“What’s the game plan when you guys hit the court?”
Indira Mejia
“Of course, a hard man to man defence, on the offence we try to get back our rebounds make nothing score, have no points scored on us.”
Janelle Chanona
“You guys are confidence yourselves I know, but who do you think is the strongest team that you have to beat?”
Indira Mejia
“Well of course everybody is looking at Wesley College as the team to beat, but I must say that we are the team to beat today, we should not be underestimated because we do have good players. And it’s not our first game with Wesley College. In 2001 it was Orange Walk Tech against Wesley College for the championship and I believe that this year it will be a repeat, but only because it will be the other way, that Orange Walk Tech will be taking the championship back home.”
Tracey Garnett, Captain, Wesley College
“We’re a bit nervous even though everybody, I guess everybody kinda fear us, but I don’t want our team to be too overconfident because you never know what these teams are up to.”
Janelle Chanona
“As captain, what are you going to be telling your players before you hit the court?”
Tracey Garnett
“Well I just want my players to play hard, put all into this game and I hope the best results come out.”
Fresh off their regional victory, members of the Gwen Liz squad are looking fierce, but the visitors to the city are confident of their skills.
Shannon Guzman, Sacred Heart High School
“We feel good because lot of people mi doubt we and thing but still reach, so it feel good…”
Janelle Chanona
“Who you guys think are the strongest right now that you have to beat?”
Shannon Guzman
“Belize City or we…we better.”
Janelle Chanona
“So what’s the strategy on the court, how will you guys defeat you opponent?”
Shannon Guzman
“Teamwork…easy.”
And it won’t be difficult to weed through this crowd…the single elimination competition guarantees that once a team loses, they automatically compete for third.
To make sure the coaches have their stats right, this afternoon, referees Glen Gill and Teddy Andrewin went over some of the highlights.
Semi-Pro player Roger Favela is tournament director.
Roger Favela, Tournament Director
“We have the best teams in the country, the best high schools in the country. You got north, central west and south. And of course our main goal is always sportsmanship, having fun and then of course we’re all trying to win. But we want to put all those words in that we tend to forget, the discipline, the attitude, the responsibility that these athletes want them to learn, because after the finish playing high school they gotta go out and live life right.”
“We’re trying to teach a little bit more than just plain basketball. We’re trying to train our young athletes to be ready, hopefully for the international level, because we have some good teams, some good male players, some good female players, and hopefully we can build from there.”
Right now, the girls from Orange Walk Technical are facing off with the team out of Independence High. A total of four games will be played tonight, so after the news you can still catch most of the action on the hardwood. Entrance fee to the City Centre is three dollars.
